HT Bureau
DIPHU, May 20: Nikonjo Kathar, former commander-in-chief of the now-defunct United People’s Liberation Army (UPLA), made a public appeal today calling for a high-level inquiry into the unsolved murder of Robin Brahma, former caretaker of Nirmal Tea Estate.
In a press statement, Kathar revealed that he had written a letter to Assam’s chief minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, on May 18, urging him to take action.
The mysterious murder of Robin Brahma, which occurred approximately 15 to 20 years ago in Lahorijan, Karbi Anglong district, has yet to be resolved, according to Kathar. The culprits responsible for the crime remain at large, and their identities remain unknown. Kathar expressed suspicions of a deep conspiracy lurking behind the murder and emphasised the urgent need for justice.
Moreover, Kathar drew attention to the contentious issue of land ownership surrounding the Nirmal Tea Estate. He stated that the tea estate and its surrounding areas have gained notoriety for illegal activities involving individuals from Nagaland and unauthorised settlers. To address this concern, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) authorities have approved the establishment of an army base camp and training centre at Lahorijan Nirmal Kumar Tea Estate, adjacent to Nagaland. This strategic move aims to prevent further encroachment along the Nagaland border. However, Kathar noted that the proposed plan for the defence base and training centre has yet to materialise.
In his letter to the chief minister, Kathar reiterated the importance of conducting a thorough investigation into the murder of Robin Brahma, evicting illegal encroachers from the Nirmal Tea Estate, and ensuring the overall security of the district.
